Bedside assistance apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bedside assistance apparatus for supporting one or more utilities within an arm&#39;s length of a person situated in a bed. The apparatus includes a substantially planar base having a length and a width for placement between a mattress and a mattress support of a bed. The apparatus also includes a substantially planar elongate riser extending upwards from an edge of the base and adjacent a side of the mattress, and having a height, a bedside face and a backside face. The apparatus further includes a multi-utility holder extending from a top of the bedside face over the mattress to support one or more utility devices within an arm&#39;s length of a person in the bed. Furthermore, the length and the width of the base are substantially less than the height of the riser to allow for ready removal of the bedside assistance apparatus from the bed in an emergency.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/181,453, filed May 27, 2009, and entitled “Bedside Assistance Apparatus,” which application is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to utility device holders for furniture, and more specifically to a bedside assistance apparatus for supporting one or more utility devices within an arm's length of a person situated in a bed.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a representative embodiment described herein, a bedside assistance apparatus is provided for supporting one or more utilities within an arm's length of a person situated in a bed. The apparatus includes a substantially planar base having a length and a width for placement between a mattress and a mattress support of a bed. The apparatus also includes a substantially planar elongate riser extending upwards from an edge of the base and adjacent a side of the mattress, and having a height, a bedside face and a backside face. The apparatus further includes a multi-utility holder extending from a top of the bedside face over the mattress to support one or more utility devices within an arm's length of a person in the bed. Furthermore, the length and the width of the base are substantially less than the height of the riser to allow for ready removal of the bedside assistance apparatus from the bed in an emergency.

In accordance with another representative embodiment described herein, a bedside assistance apparatus is provided which includes a substantially planar base having a length and a width for placement between a mattress and a mattress support of a hospital bed having an adjustable guard rail. The apparatus also includes a substantially planar elongate riser which extends upwards from an edge of the base and adjacent a side of the mattress, and which has a height, a bedside face and a backside face, and which riser remains inside the adjustable guard rail in its raised position. The apparatus further includes a multi-utility holder extending from a top of the bedside face to support one ore more utility devices within an arm's length of a person in the bed. The base of the apparatus has a reduced footprint to allow for ready removal of the bedside assistance apparatus from the bed in an emergency, with each of the length and the width of the base being less than half of the height of the riser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows, and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention. It will be readily appreciated that these drawings merely depict representative embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, and that the components of the invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Nonetheless, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates front view of a bedside assistance apparatus installed on a hospital bed, in accordance with one representative embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the bedside assistance apparatus of FIG. 1 installed inside the raised guardrail of the hospital bed;

FIG. 3 illustrates an isolated side perspective view of the bedside assistance apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the base and vertical riser and second utility holder of the bedside assistance apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of the multi-utility holder of the bedside assistance apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of the multi-utility holder of the bedside assistance apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the top of the bedside assistance apparatus of FIG. 1 including the multi-utility holder and the second utility holder mounted to the riser below the multi-utility holder;

FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up front view of the multi-utility holder of the bedside assistance apparatus of FIG. 1 containing a tissue box and supporting a corded utility device; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up front view of the second utility holder of the bedside assistance apparatus of FIG. 1 supporting a corded utility device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, various representative embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. While these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments can be realized and that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As such, the following detailed description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as it is claimed, but rather is presented for purposes of illustration, to describe the features and characteristics of the representative embodiments, and to sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims.

Furthermore, the following detailed description and representative embodiments will best understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the embodiments are designated by numerals throughout.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 is a representative embodiment of a bedside assistance apparatus for supporting one or more utilities, or utility devices, within an arm's length of a person situated in a bed. As described herein, the bedside assistance apparatus can provide several significant advantages and benefits over prior-related device holders making the utilities, such as a tissue box, telephone or remote control, readily available to the person in the bed. However, the recited advantages are not meant to be limiting in any way, as one skilled in the art will appreciate that other advantages may also be realized upon practicing the present invention.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the bedside (or front side) and backside views, respectively, of a representative bedside assistance apparatus 10 for supporting one or more utilities 90 within an arm's length of a person situated in a bed 70. The type of bed to which the apparatus is installed can include a hospital bed having a mattress 72, a mattress support 76 and an adjustable guard rail 78. It is to be appreciated, however, that the bed type can also include standard beds with mattress and mattress supports or box springs of any particular size and shape. In the representative embodiment shown, the bedside assistance apparatus can be installed to the side of the bed and between the mattress and the mattress support, and can be configured for ready removal from the bed in the event of an emergency.

A variety of utilities 90 or utility devices can be supported within an arm's length of a person situated in the bed, including a tissue box 92, communication devices such as a corded telephone 94 or a television remote/call button 96, medical devices such as a suction aspirator and an oxygen mask, etc., personal electronic devices such as a computer, a cell phone, a cell phone charger, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a music player, a recording device, or a gaming system control or device, etc., or any other utility 90 or utility device which could be of benefit or interest to the person in the bed and known to one of skill in the art. Furthermore, some of the utilities can be equipped with cords 98, including telephone cords, communication cables, power or charger cords, suction tubes and oxygen supply tubes, etc., that can connect the utility with additional equipment found in the immediate environment. Yet another utility can include a drink or cup holder (not shown).

The utilities 90 can be supported in a multi-utility holder 40 located at a top of a riser 30, or in a second utility holder 60 mounted to the riser below the multi-utility holder. The riser 30 can be positioned adjacent or against a side 74 of the mattress 72, and can extend upwards from the edge of a base (not shown) that has been inserted between the mattress 72 and the mattress support 76. The riser can have a front side or bedside face 38 (FIG. 1) and a backside face 39 (FIG. 2). The riser can also have a substantially planar and elongate configuration so as to remain inside the adjustable guard rail 78 when the guard rail is moved to its raised position. In one aspect a molded or hinged hook 37 can extend from the backside face 39 of the riser 30 to hook around the upper portion of adjustable guard rail 78 in its raised position, provide to additional lateral support to the multi-utility holder 40.

An isolated side perspective view of the bedside assistance apparatus 10 is provided in FIG. 3. As can be seen, the base 20 of the bedside assistance apparatus can also have a substantially planar configuration, and can have a length 22 and a width 24 to provide a top surface 28 and a bottom surface 29 that can be captured between the mattress and mattress support. The base 20 can operate to support and stabilize the riser 30 adjacent the side of the mattress, as well as utility holders 40, 60 that can both extend from the bedside face 38 of the riser 30 over the mattress. If desired, the corners of the base can be rounded or cut at an angle 26.

The base 20 can be coupled to the riser 30 at joint 16. The joint 16 can comprise a variety of connection interfaces between the two planar bodies, including but not limited to: an integral joint 18 comprised of a rigid, bent material such as plastic; a rigid and glued tongue-in-groove-type arrangement; fixed hardware such as brackets and screws; and rotatable hardware such as a locking hinge which would allow the base to fold upwards and flat against the riser when configured for storage, etc.

Unlike prior art device holders, storage caddies, and support bars located adjacent to a bed to provide assistance to a person or patient located therein, the planar surfaces 26, 29 of the base 20 can be configured with a minimal capture contact area between the mattress and the mattress support, in order to allow for the ready removal of the bedside assistance apparatus from the bed in an emergency. This can be especially critical in a hospital environment, where time can be of the essence in treating a patient situated in the bed, and where any device holder located adjacent to the bed would potentially impede the access of medical personnel and/or equipment. For example, prior art device holders, storage caddies, and support bars can typically have a long base that extends completely underneath the person situated in the bed, or a wide base that provides greater stability to an occupant holding up a portion of his/her body weight on a support bar. Such designs could be disadvantageous in an emergency, however, since the weight of the body in the bed may prevent the ready removal of a device holder having a long base from between the mattress and the mattress support, while other bedside furniture and/or equipment adjacent the bed may interfere with the removal of a device holder having a wide base.

In contrast, the captured base 20 of the bedside assistance apparatus 10 can have a reduced footprint in comparison with those found the prior art, with both the length 22 and the width 24 of the base 20 being substantially less than the height 48 of the riser 30. For instance, each of the length and the width of the base can be less than half of the height of the riser. More specifically, each of the length and the width of the base can be from about 10 inches to about 18 inches in extent, and the height of the riser can be from about 36 to about 48 inches in extent. In the representative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, the length 22 of the base can be about 12 inches in extent, the width 24 of the base can be about 13 inches in extent, and the height 48 of the riser can be about 42 inches in extent.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, moreover, the base 20 and riser 30 can be formed from a single piece of vinyl plastic 12, which can be substantially planar and have a thickness ranging from 3/16 inch to ½ inch. In one representative embodiment, the single piece of vinyl plastic 12 can have a thickness 14 of about ¼ inch. As described above, the single piece of vinyl plastic 12 shown in FIG. 4 can also be folded or bent at joint 16 substantially about 90 degrees to form a continuous and rigid bend 18 connecting the base 20 with the riser 30. Alternatively, the bedside assistance apparatus 10 can also be made from plastic, metal, stainless steel, carbon fiber, or any other material suitable for use in a hospital room or personal home environment.

In another aspect the riser can be provided in separate pieces which include a height adjustment mechanism, and which can allow the height of the utility holder 40 above the mattress to be adjusted in accordance with the occupant's needs or preferences. In yet another aspect the base 20, the riser 30 and the utility holder 40 can each be formed into separate, interchangeable sections which can be sold separately and in a variety of sizes and configurations, and then assembled together into a customized bedside assistance apparatus which best meets the needs or preferences of a particular user.

In addition to being substantially planar, in one aspect the single piece of vinyl plastic 12 forming the base 20 and the riser 30 can be smooth or sterilizable. As broadly defined herein, the term sterilizable can refer to both the lack of surface features such as grooves, ridges, pits or cavities which could serve to harbor bacteria or other harmful organisms, as well as being made from a material which can withstand repeated washings with sterilizing chemicals or liquids, or subjected to high temperature and/or radiation, to kill or render harmless any potentially dangerous biological material.

Also shown in FIG. 4 is the generalized shape of the representative riser 30, which can include a lower wide section 32 proximate the base 20 for connection with the base, an upper wide section 34 proximate the top of the riser for supporting the multi-utility holder, and an elongate narrow center section 36 extending between the lower wide section and the upper wide section for minimizing a visible aspect of the riser adjacent to a side of the bed. Having a narrow center section 36 can also allow for easier ingress and exit from the bed by the person situated in the bed.

While the multi-utility holder can be attached to the upper wide section 34 at the top of the riser 30, a second and smaller utility holder 60 can be attached to the narrow center section 36 below the multi-utility holder, and at a height 68 above the base 20 that can allow another utility to be supported with the bedside assistance apparatus below the multi-utility holder. The second utility holder 60 can be configured as a basket 62 that extends from the bedside face 38 of the riser over the mattress, and with an upward-facing cavity 64 into which the utility can be placed. Furthermore, a cord slot 66 can be formed into the basket for supporting a corded utility device.

Illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B is a multi-utility holder 40 which can be attached to the upper wide section 34 of the riser 30 and extend bedward from the bedside face 38 of the riser over the mattress. Indeed, in the representative embodiment shown, the bedside face 38 of the riser can also comprise the back surface of a central compartment 48 for containing a tissue box, which central compartment can be formed by an open frame 42 having a bottom piece 44 and sidewalls 46. The back edges of the open frame can be attached the upper wide section 34 of the riser 30 by any means available to one of skill in the art, include adhesives, screws, or brackets, etc. Moreover, the front edges of the sidewalls 46 can be provided with inwardly-projecting stubs 47 that can define the front face of the central compartment. Thus, a tissue box can be inserting through the top of the open frame 42 and supported within the central compartment with one side resting on the bottom piece 44 of the frame, and with the opening of the tissue box orientated on a vertical plane and facing the bed. The inwardly-projecting stubs 47 can prevent the tissue box from falling forward out of the multi-utility holder 40. Alternatively, a compartmentalized insert can be placed within the open frame 42 within the multi-utility holder 40. Such an insert can allow for organization and placement of smaller items such as, but not limited to, glasses, writing implements, notes, cosmetics, cell phones, and the like. In one alternative, the insert can occupy substantially the entire central compartment 48. However, optionally, the insert can leave a slot space along the upper wide section 34 such that magazines and/or books can be slid and held vertically into the slot space between the wide section 34 and insert.

The multi-utility holder 40 can further include one or more accessory holders 50 extending from either side of the central compartment 48, and which can be configured or holding a utility device. Each accessory holder can include an outwardly and upwardly-extending angled base bracket 54 and a pair of outwardly extending side brackets 56 for supporting a utility device on the base bracket. The angled base bracket 54 can further include a cord slot 58 formed therein for supporting a corded utility device on the base bracket and within the accessory holder 50. In the representative embodiment illustrated, the angled base brackets 54 can comprise the bent and angled tips of a base bar 52 that extends all the way underneath the bottom piece 44 of the central compartment and which is attached thereto. It is to be further appreciated that any of the central compartment 48 or accessory holders 50 can be further modified or provided with separate, customizable inserts that allow for the storage of personal items, such as a pill box, a molded cell phone holder, any of the personal electronic devices described above, or reading materials, etc.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the bottom piece 44, sidewalls 46, inwardly-projecting stubs 47, base bar 52 and base brackets 54, and side brackets 56 can all be made from the same or from a similar substantially planar material having a thickness of about ¼ inch. In one representative embodiment the material can further comprise the same smooth and sterilizable vinyl plastic used to form the base and riser. Furthermore, the base 44, sidewalls 46, inwardly-projecting stubs 47 forming the frame 42 can be sized to provide a central compartment having internal dimensions substantially matching those of a standard tissue box orientated on its side: 9½ inches long, 4½ inches tall, and 2¾ inches deep. The inwardly projecting stubs can be about 1¼ inches in width. Thus, taking into account the thickness of the pieces forming the frame, the central compartment of the multi-utility holder 40 can have external dimensions of about 10 inches wide, 5 inches tall, and 3¼ inches deep.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the top of the bedside assistance apparatus 10 including the multi-utility holder 40 and the second utility holder 60 mounted to the riser 30 below the multi-utility holder. A corded utility 90, such as television remote/call button 96, is located inside the second utility holder 60 with its cord 98 extending downward through slot 66. A tissue box utility 92 is located within the central compartment 48 and secured in place of the inwardly-extending stubs 47. And another corded utility, such as a telephone 94, is located in the far accessory holder 50 with its cord 98 extending downward through slot 56.

As can be further seen in the front close-up views of the multi-utility holder 40 in FIG. 7, and of the second utility holder 60 in FIG. 8, each of the non-corded and corded utilities 92, 94, 96 can be securely but loosely held within their respective compartment 48, basket 62 and accessory holder 50, and within an arm's length of a person situated in a bed. It is to be appreciated, however, that other compartment, basket and accessory holder designs and configurations are possible, and which can be individually tailored for any particular type of utility 90 if so desired. For example, the basket 62 of the secondary utility holder 60 can be widened and provided with a tapered opening 64 to hold the corded control of a gaming system, as would be of benefit or interest to a younger person situated the bed. Additional modification are possible, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art, and should be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

In another aspect of bedside assistance apparatus 10, any of the upper multi-utility holder 40, the lower second utility holder 60 or the upper portion of the riser 30 can have additional devices or utilities 90 mounted directly thereto and which can provide benefit to the person situated in the bed. For instance, electrical/electronic devices such as a 110 volt electrical outlet, a clock, an alarm clock or timer, a video display, a reading light, a radio, MP3 or CD player, or TV/radio or intercom speakers, etc. can be affixed or mounted to any of the front side or side faces of the various components. Moreover, items such as a latex glove holder, a sharps collector, or a trash bin, etc. can also be mounted to the back side face of the riser to provide benefit to the hospital staff, family members or other persons nearby.

The foregoing detailed description describes the invention with reference to specific representative embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. The detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded as illustrative, rather than restrictive, and any such modifications or changes are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as described and set forth herein.

More specifically, while illustrative representative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but includes any and all embodiments having modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the foregoing detailed description. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the foregoing detailed description or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, any steps recited in any method or process claims, furthermore, may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented in the claims. The term “preferably” is also non-exclusive where it is intended to mean “preferably, but not limited to.” Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the descriptions and examples given above. 

1. A bedside assistance apparatus, comprising: a substantially planar base having a length and a width for placement between a mattress and a mattress support of a bed; a substantially planar elongate riser extending upwards from an edge of the base and adjacent a side of the mattress, and having a height, a bedside face and a backside face; and a multi-utility holder extending from a top of the bedside face over the mattress to support at least one utility within an arm's length of a person in the bed, wherein each of the length and the width of the base are substantially less than the height of the riser to allow for ready removal of the bedside assistance apparatus from the bed in an emergency.
 2. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bed further comprises a hospital bed having an adjustable guard rail, and wherein the riser remains inside the adjustable guard rail in its raised position.
 3. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a hook extending from the backside face of the riser to attach about the guard rail and provide additional lateral support to the multi-utility holder.
 4. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the riser is angled bed-ward from the base to contact a side of the mattress, to provide additional lateral support to the multi-utility holder.
 5. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the riser bends bed-ward under the weight of the multi-utility holder to contact a side of the mattress, to provide additional lateral support to the multi-utility holder.
 6. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the length and the width of the base are less than half of the height of the riser.
 7. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the length and the width of the base are from about 10 inches to about 18 inches in extent, and wherein the height of the riser is from about 36 to about 48 inches in extent.
 8. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multi-utility holder comprises a central compartment for containing a tissue box aligned with a tissue box opening on a vertical side surface facing the bed.
 9. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a compartmentalized insert oriented within the central compartment and including multiple sub-compartments with vertical openings.
 10. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-utility holder comprises at least one accessory holder coupled to a side of the central compartment for holding a utility device.
 11. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 10, wherein the accessory holder further comprises a cord slot formed therein for supporting a corded utility device on the base bracket.
 12. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second utility holder mounted to the riser below the multi-utility holder.
 13. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second utility holder further comprises a cord slot formed therein for supporting a corded utility device.
 14. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base and the riser are formed of a vinyl plastic.
 15. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vinyl plastic is smooth and sterilizable.
 16. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 14, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the base are sufficiently smooth to reduce frictional engagement with the mattress and with the mattress support, to allow for ready removal of the bedside assistance apparatus from between the mattress and the mattress support.
 17. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate riser further comprises a lower wide section proximate the base for connection with the base, an upper wide section proximate the top of the riser for supporting the multi-utility holder, and an elongate narrow section extending between the lower wide section and the upper wide section for minimizing a visible aspect of the riser adjacent to a side of the bed.
 18. A bedside assistance apparatus, comprising: a substantially planar base having a length and a width for placement between a mattress and a mattress support of a hospital bed having an adjustable guard rail; a substantially planar elongate riser extending upwards from an edge of the base and adjacent a side of the mattress, and having a height, a bedside face and a backside face, the riser remaining inside the adjustable guard rail in its raised position; and a multi-utility holder extending from a top of the bedside face to support at least one utility within an arm's length of a person in the bed, wherein the base has a reduced footprint, with each of the length and the width of the base being less than half of the height of the riser, to allow for ready removal of the bedside assistance apparatus from the bed in an emergency.
 19. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 18, wherein the riser is angled bed-ward from the base to contact a side of the mattress, to provide additional lateral support to the multi-utility holder.
 20. The bedside assistance apparatus of claim 18, wherein the riser bends bed-ward under the weight of the multi-utility holder to contact a side of the mattress, to provide additional lateral support to the multi-utility holder. 